Vocational School Training
How to Choose the Best One Near Phoenix Arizona
Enrolling in a vocational school near Phoenix AZ with the final goal of starting a new profession can be a life altering achievement that requires prior due diligence and careful planning. However with so many trade schools to pick from, just how do you undertake identifying the ideal one? Not only do you need to make sure that you will get the extensive training necessary to succeed in your new occupation, but also that the school is reputable and well regarded. One of the first things that many prospective students hone in on when beginning their search is how far the vocational schools are from their homes. Next, they compare tuition and frequently gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But there are additional important qualifications aside from cost and location that must be part of the due diligence process as well. Added variables such as accreditation and the completion rates of the schools are important also. So prior to beginning your evaluations and comparing trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to get the information to make a final choice. We will review a few of those questions later in this post. But first, let's talk about a few of the trade options that are offered as well as the accessibility of online programs.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Choose a New Trade and Start Your Career Below
Trade School Program Options
There are an abundance of trades to pick from in vocational schools that provide fulfilling and good paying careers. Maybe you have already decided on one that you have for years desired to pursue. For example, perhaps you have always had fun working on your car and have considered utilizing that skill to make a living as an automotive tech. Or maybe a relative has had a long and successful career in a particular vocation or trade and you would love to follow in her or his footsteps. Whatever your inspiration is for entering a trade, there is probably a program available that will provide the training you require. Below is just a small representation of the vocational training programs that are available in the Phoenix AZ area.
- Auto Mechanic
- Heating and Cooling (HVAC) Tech
- Plumber
- Electrician
- Welder
- Truck Driving
- Aircraft Maintenance Tech
- Lab Tech
- Construction Management
Each of the programs will have differing completion times and costs based upon the trade, credential earned and school. A number of the programs may be completed in just weeks, while others will call for several months or even 2 or more years of instruction. All of these elements must be taken into account before choosing a trade and a school.
Online Vocational Schools
Online schools have become more attractive with Phoenix AZ students and more and more accredited programs are being offered. Although learning online is a readily available and practical way to earn a degree or certificate, it may not be the best option for every vocation or trade. For example, learning to drive a semi truck is not something that you can do online, nor is learning how to weld. These are skills that have to be mastered through hands on training and by doing it, not by reading about it or watching videos. But certain elements of the training can be appropriate for online education, for instance studying driving and safety regulations for trucking schools or studying metallurgy or how to read blueprints for welder schools. Some programs will blend online instruction with on campus practical training, such as for HVAC or plumbing schools. So it is very important to ask before enrolling in an online school for any vocation if there is a suitable amount of hands-on training devoted to the curriculum. One means to help ensure that a vocational school program is both appropriate for online education and provides in-depth practical training is to check that it's accredited by a nationally acknowledged accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). For those vocations that are appropriate for online training, it can be a practical way for those with time constraints to learn a new vocation.
Points to Ask Trade School Programs
As soon as you have selected the vocation and type of certificate or degree that you want to attain, either on campus or online, you can start to limit your list of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are many technical schools in the Phoenix AZ area and all over the USA to choose from. That's why it is very important to have a list of relevant qualifications when making school comparisons. As previously stated in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will most likely be the initial 2 aspects you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you need to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accreditation. Many Phoenix AZ area technical schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school's programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Make certain that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, some states mandate that the training course be accredited in order to qualify for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Operation? One clue to help measure the quality of a trade school near Phoenix AZ is how long it has been in business. A negatively reviewed or a fly by night school usually will not stay in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. However, even the best of schools had to start from their first day of training, so consider it as one of several qualifiers.
Completion Rates. Ask the tech schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate might suggest that students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. It could also mean that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It's similarly imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which can produce more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to help students acquire apprenticeships or jobs in the Phoenix AZ area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most trade programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of businesses or trade unions. Check if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with Phoenix AZ area companies in the trade. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the specialist you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Phoenix AZ contractor if they can provide some suggestions. Also bear in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there might be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's desirable that you get as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Talk with a few of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is in Arizona and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Phoenix AZ, check that the programs you are reviewing provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family responsibilities.
Find Out More About Technical School Programs in Phoenix
Enroll in the Best Phoenix Trade School
Finding the right trade school near Phoenix AZ is a critical beginning toward a fulfilling career in the vocation of your choice. As we have addressed in this post, you need to choose a vocational school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. Other things to search for are lots of practical training and state-of-the-art facilities. You should go to each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to explore the campus and speak with both the faculty and current students. Try to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. Additionally, inquire about scheduling options and whether evening or weekend classes are available if needed. And remember to inquire about financial aid and student loan options also. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have detailed in our checklist for assessing schools, you'll be able to filter your options so that you can make an educated decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and commitment, you can ultimately become a licensed professional in your chosen trade.